I think it was. There were a lot of ways that he could have made that block on Cushing without going for the knees, and he still went for the knees unforced. That tells me that he was aiming for the knees. Whenever that happens, it's assumed that there is intent to injure there. That's what I get out of the play, as someone that used to line up at TE and has had plenty of experience dealing with LB's and DE's in the past. The only thing I have to ask is whether or not Cushing did something earlier in the game to pre-meditate it.
Sorry but at that game speed you don't even have time to process the thought. You aren't taught to stand around, you're taught to o after the nearest guy you can. He happened to do it in a way which was dirty and sadly the result was a season ending injury. It happens...it's part of the sport.
Blocking below the knees is legal from the front, just not behind...it's not done just solely to injure as you will know if you played TE. Cutting people's legs from under them is a commonly taught technique if you're undersized or having trouble with your man...it's even part of the play calling system by design.
He just made an error...a costly one.
You're just assuming and, given you have no real reason to think he wanted to injure him as you don't know him and can't find a premeditated reason, I don't think ou can judge an intent to injure.
As I said, and you should know this as I do through playing experience, you don't have time to process that thought...you just play and as an offensive lineman, he's taught to get downfield and hit the first man he can get his hands on.
He just did it n the wrong way.
If this was a Pats player getting fined...and maybe even suspends as people have suggested...the turnaround in opinion would be laughable.
